It took just a couple of days for the first couple of dominos to fall in the offseason reshaping of the Kansas basketball roster.
One day after recent commitment Marcus Adams Jr. announced his plans to reclassify into the 2023 class and join the Jayhawks this summer, current KU forward Cam Martin entered the transfer portal.
Martin confirmed the news to the Journal-World in a text message on Monday night, saying his time at KU was “an unforgettable experience.”
“I wouldn’t change a thing about it,” he wrote. “I’m going to miss my teammates and brothers.”
Martin, who was at Kansas for the past two seasons but played very little because of a redshirt and injuries, will spend the next couple of weeks looking for another place to play next season.
The 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward joined the Jayhawks as a multi-time Division II All-American known for his ability to shoot the ball from long distance.
He played for former KU guard Jeff Boschee at Missouri Southern State before coming to Kansas and plenty of people who saw him play there believed his skill set had a chance to translate to the Division I level.
The lack of opportunities and injuries kept Martin from having the chance to show if they were right.
After redshirting last season in hopes of having a bigger role during the 2022-23 season, Martin was injured just before the season opener and played just 10 minutes in four games for the Jayhawks this season.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Martin said he hoped to find a stay at the Division I level next season and that he was hoping to find “a school that I can impact immediately that fits my playing style.”
With Jalen Wilson, Kevin McCullar Jr. and now Martin leaving this offseason, Kansas still needs to find room for all four incoming freshmen who will join the roster this summer — four-start guards/wings Elmarko Jackson, Jamari McDowell, Chris Johnson and Adams.
Normally allowed 13 scholarships per season, the Jayhawks will be down to 12 for the 2023-24 season because of the self-imposed penalty tied to the Jayhawks’ NCAA infractions case that remains ongoing.
It’s entirely possible that Martin will not be the last current Jayhawk to look for opportunities elsewhere this offseason. Sources close to the program have told the Journal-World that they expect at least a couple of other current players to look to go elseswhere.
Freshman guard Gradey Dick has to weigh the decision of returning to KU or turning pro and other Jayhawks could explore the idea of entering the portal, as well.
Nick Krug
